More adults with ADHD find help through meds
Although many adults with ADHD say medications are helping them focus, some experts fear that as many of 10% of those seeking the stimulants don't have the disorder. Before psychiatrists prescribe the drugs, patients have to show that their symptoms trace back to childhood, since there's no such thing as "adult onset" ADHD. (Newsweek)
In most Special Ed/ Psychology/ Psychiatry books about ADD/ADHD, I have read that children do not outgrow the symptoms of attention deficits. It is diagnosed after the age of "terrible two's and three's", after when children are naturally hyperactive curious about everything in their environment. But I firmly agree that "there's no such thing as 'adult onset' ADHD".
The primary observable difference among people with ADHD is that they may become less hyperactive than they were as children. However, the hyperactivity is often replaced by restlessness. For 50 percent, the symptoms of attention deficits do not cause major problems in adulthood. Adults often find a career that is compatible with their personality so symptoms don't present problems in the workplace, symptoms become less severe with age, or the adult learns to compensate. For some adults, continuing to take medication will be a necessity. (Teaching Teens with ADD &ADHD)
Do you know an adult who's very restless to the point of being annoying? Someone who cannot keep a stable job, or a decent partner, who's always "bored" in life? You may want to evaluate him/her with this ADD/ADHD checklist for adults...
10 comments:
What I know is that adults have a history of childhood ADHD, and they're pretty much in control of the situation. Like you, I believe that there's no such thing as adult-onset of ADHD. :)
an adult who's very restless to the point of being annoying... hhmmm... nde kaya yung boss ko ito. hahaha! nagpapatawa lang.
take care teacher sol! :)
before i came to live in north america, i have never heard of the term ADHD... now, doctors/teachers say that my son is ADHD...
thanks Titser Sol for the info.... weee! dag-dag knowledge kac nursing student ako. I did'nt know about it. I swear... New look yata tong comment link mo ah.... tenk yu rin po pala saa comment mo sa blog ko... I appreciate it... :-)
DARLENE, Symptoms of attention deficits often presents lifelong challenges.
PAO, yes, they may run your company; they're bosses who gives lectures about empowerment and positive reinforcement, then threaten to fire people for tiniest mistakes. They work at your office; they are highly paid managerial types so involved in politics and petty intrigues that they don't have time to do their jobs.
JO, The criteria for the inattentive type of ADD were not included in the DSM IV until 1994. This means that some teenagers with the inattentive type of ADD may not have been diagnosed with ADD if they were evaluated in elementary school.
RICHARD, supplemental information for a nursing student, *wink*; ADD/ ADHD will always be diagnosed in early childhood. The age of diagnosis may vary depending on the severity and type of ADD/ ADHD. Children who are extremely hyperactive are usually diagnosed early. Unfortunately, some parents and highschool personnel may not have considered an attention deficit as a potential culprit underlying student underachievement!
I am most definitely an ADD teacher. The kids have pointed it out, but they seem to be OK with my sometimes random musings.
Hopefully, I'm an example of how to deal with it without taking medication, as some parents are doing for normal, hyperactive children.
sol..correct me if im wrong but ive heard people who are diagnosed with adhd or add in their childhood..they develop mental illness when they become adults. Ive had patiends in my Psych clinical..they were diagnosed with add or hyperactive-aggression when they were little that developed into more serious mental illness..I suppose taking right prescription rx for it (addh) will not lead to something like this. I have one acquantance..he was diagnosed with adhd when he was little..but he turned out to be just fine functionality wise..
Hi TEACHER SOL,
Thank you very much for this post, it was an informative post, very useful.
I'm currently researching information for kid with adhd, would that be a topic that you are familiar with?
If you could help point me to the right direction it would be much appreciated.
Thank you for your time and effort.
Warmest regards,
Hoe Bing
I strongly suggest that each of you check out the book, Children with Starving Brains by J. McCandless. I have been teaching for over 11 years now and over those years, I have seen steady increases of ADD/ADHD and autism. This title was mentioned to me by our school's PTO president who chelated her daughter for ADHD.
I never in a million years would think that I would have a child that would end up autistic. We have been chelating (because of the book that saved our Pat) for two years.
I am happy to report mercury is coming out of my son. Each month there is notable differences.
You might also want to check out Evidence of Harm by David Kirby.
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